Hilger&#39;s Cherry Laurel

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct evergreen cherry laurel about 12 meters high at maturity. The leaves are oblong-lanceolate leathery in appearance and are distinguished by having a rich golden yellow color on green leaves 5 to 10 centimeters long at maturity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Prunuscaroliniana called Hilger's Cherry Laurel; the variety being primarilycharacterized as a dense evergreen tree 12 m or more at maturity withoblong-lanceolate, leathery, yellow color in green leaves 5 to 10 cmlong.

The variety has further non-distinguishing characteristics as follows:

Small, cream white flowers in racemes; and

Little shiny inedible black fruit.

This variety was originated by me by rooting of cuttings from a plant Ifound in a cultivated lot at 807 8th Ave. S.W. in Largo, Fla.

Subsequent to discovery of the new variety I successfully asexuallyreproduced it in my greenhouse located at Springdale Nursery, Inc.,11700 S.W. 121st Ave., Dunnellon, Fla. 32630 by rooting of cuttings. Thereproductions have run true in all respects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The color photograph illustrates the variety, including thedistinguishing foliage and normal fruit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

Referring now specifically to the new and distinct variety of cherrylaurel plant, the following is a detailed description. The specimendescribed was grown in Dunnellon, Fla.

Evergreen tree: 12 meters or more at maturity, vigorous, upright, dense,regular bearing of fruit after spring flowering.

Leaves: Oblong-lanceolate, leathery with distinctive variegatedcoloration on one or more leaves of chartruse, citron, mimosa and creamaccording to the Exotica, Volume 3, color chart. 5 to 10 cm long atmaturity.

Flowers: Small, cream white in racemes.

Fruit: Small, shiny, inedible and black.

Use: Ornamental as a hedge.

In comparison to my new variety, Prunus caroliniana has glossy greenleaves.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct plant of cherry laurel named Hilger'sCherry Laurel, as described and illustrated, and particularlycharacterized as to uniqueness by a distinct variegation of goldenyellow in green, oblong-lanceolate, leathery leaves 5 to 10 cmlongitudinally at maturity.